Associate Director – Commercial Assurance

Role Overview

Associate Director – Commercial Assurance at Aldar Properties. This role provides independent commercial assurance across the D-Sell portfolio, ensuring investment decisions are supported by robust commercial analysis, market intelligence and governance.

Role Purpose

Provide independent commercial assurance by reviewing, challenging and validating business cases, feasibility studies and commercial decisions. Ensure investment decisions are supported by robust commercial analysis, market intelligence and governance before progressing through approval gateways.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Assurance & Investment Review

• Independently review feasibility studies, business cases and project strategies.
• Challenge commercial assumptions, financial models and investment propositions.
• Validate commercial robustness and investment readiness prior to Investment Committee approvals.
• Prepare independent commercial opinions to support executive decision-making.
• Assess major commercial changes, variation orders and scope changes.
• Support Gateway and Investment Committee governance processes.
• Provide scenario analysis and independent recommendations for strategic investment decisions.

Commercial Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain commercial benchmarks across comparable developments and market sectors.
• Perform market, cost and commercial benchmarking analyses.
• Identify commercial risks, value enhancement opportunities and optimisation initiatives.
• Standardise commercial assurance methodologies and continuously improve governance processes, reporting and analytical capabilities.

Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead and develop the Commercial Assurance function capability.
• Foster a culture of independent challenge, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Promote consistent commercial governance and assurance practices across the portfolio.

Qualifications & Experience

• 14+ years in development, commercial, investment or development finance.
• 6+ years managing commercial activities.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Real Estate, Economics or Engineering.
• Master's degree preferred.
• CFA, MRICS or equivalent desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Financial modelling.
• Feasibility and investment analysis.
• Commercial negotiation.
• Market research.
• Strong commercial acumen and critical thinking.
• Build and nurture partnerships across key stakeholders to obtain relevant information and provide firm recommendations.
• Excel and Power BI proficiency.
• Capability to embed AI tools in work processes.

Additional Information

Key Measures of Success

• Commercial reviews completed within agreed SLA.
• Reduction in commercial approval rework.
• Accuracy of commercial assumptions.
• Timely executive decision support.
• Stakeholder satisfaction.